Improvement in apparatus for supporting and lowering coffins



cmmes A. THOMPSON & JAMES 0; C0-LEMAN.-

. v H Improvement in Apparatus for Supporting and Lowering Coffins. N JL v PatentedDec.5,187i. E L92] T F AM fwomurfiasmrwm :11 MM mean/153'PRMESS/ UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

CHARLES A. THOMPSON AND JAMES O. COLEMAN, OF HOPKINSVILLE, KY.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING ANIl LDWERING GUFFINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,688, dated December5, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES A. THoMPsoN and JAMES O. COLEMAN, ofHopkinsville, in the county of Christian and State of Kentucky, haveinvented a certain Improvement in Appa ratus for Supporting and LoweringCoffins; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in theart to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to furnish an improved apparatus forsupporting coffins or burial-cases when the deceased is lying in state,and to serve as a bier for carrying the coffin, and so constructed as tobe a convenient means for low ering the coffin into the grave; and itconsists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, ashereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of theapparatus. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section ofFig. 1 taken on the line at m. Fig. 4 is a side view, showing thelowering device as in use. Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the belt-pulleyson the revolvin g bars, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section of Fig. 5 onthe line g 3 both showing the belt-stirrup.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspond ing parts.

This apparatus consists mainly of a rectangular frame formed of twolongitudinal bars, A A, connected together by two end pieces, B and 0,supported on folding legs D, with adjustable pulleys E on the bars A,and a wormgear device by which thebars AA are revolved. The bars revolveon journals in the end pieces B O. F is a wormgear shaft, supported bystands on the end piece 0. G G are the worms, which engage with theworm-pinions H H on the ends of the bars A A, as distinctly seen in theend view, Fig. 2. I is acrank on the end of the shaft F. The legs D arepivoted to the brackets J, which hang from the ends B C. When folded upthey assume the from of braces to the end pieces, as seen in Fig. 2.When so folded the apparatus will rest on the ends of the brackets J, asseen in the drawing. The legs are held in position when folded and whenstanding vertical by means of springbuttons, gravity-sprin gs, orslides, orin any suitable manner. E represents adjustable flangedpulleys on the bars A A. These slide on the bars and are adjusted tosuit the length of the coffin. WVhen adjusted they are held in positionand prevented from turning on the bars by means of set-screws, as seenin the drawing. L L represents belts, the ends of which are attached tothe pulleys E by means of the stirrups N. These stirrups are attached tothe pulleys, as seen in Fig. 5, and hold the belt by friction, as seenin Fig. 6, the arrangement being such that by raisin g the stirrup thebelt is readilydrawn through and detached. 0 O are metallic supports forthe coffin to rest upon. The supports hook over the bars A A, as seen inFig. 3, and are removed before lowering the coffin into the grave. Toallow the supports to be removed the bars are revolved so that the beltsare wound up around the pulleys sufficiently to raise the coffin.

It will be observed that the worm-gearing is so arranged that uponturningthe shaft F the bars A A will be revolved in opposite directions,so that the belts will be wound up or unwound at each end, according tothe way the shaft is turned.

When the apparatus is placed over the grave and the supports 0 O areremoved, as above stated, the shaft is turned in the opposite direction,and the coffin is lowered gently and evenly to the bottom of the grave;the belts are withdrawn, the legs D are folded up, as seen in Fig. 2,which allows the apparatus to be placed in the hearse.

This is a most convenient and complete device for the purposes intended,and its advantages over the awkward contrivances usuali y employed atfunerals must be obvious to all.

Havingthus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. The bars A A, end pieces B O, shaft F, worm-gears GH, and belts L L, when the same are arranged to operate substantially asand for the purposes described.

2. The folding legs 1). arranged in mmbinn- 5. The brzu'kets J and legs1), in combination (ion with the bars A A and mid pim-os lH, nsdvwithtlwvnds 1-H ui'theloweringapparatus, sub- 3. In combination with Illtl'(\'( ]\'lllj bars A (HARLES A. THOMPSON. A, the supports U 1). as andfor the pul'pnsus (10- JAMES 0. COLEMAN. scribed.

4. The adjustable pulleys E {111d stirrup N, in \Vitnesses: combinationwith n ln\\'l*1lIl L apparatus 101 (-01 JAMES A. WALLACE,

fins, substantially as described. G150. P. STREET. (39)

